Basic
Ethics & Manners
Surah: Al-Humaza (1)
Woe to Every Scorner and Mocker — Backbiting and Ridicule
وَيۡلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
— الهمزة الآية 1
Verse: "Woe to every scorner and mocker — who collects wealth and counts it." (104:1-2)
"Hammaz": One who scorns openly in speech or action. "Lummaz": one who scorns secretly through hints and gestures.
Connection between ridicule and wealth: "Who collects wealth and counts it" — wealth inflates arrogance; the arrogant views himself above others and so mocks them.
Lesson: Mocking and belittling people is among the lowest character traits — connected here to the disease of arrogance and love of wealth.
"Hammaz": One who scorns openly in speech or action. "Lummaz": one who scorns secretly through hints and gestures.
Connection between ridicule and wealth: "Who collects wealth and counts it" — wealth inflates arrogance; the arrogant views himself above others and so mocks them.
Lesson: Mocking and belittling people is among the lowest character traits — connected here to the disease of arrogance and love of wealth.
Source: Ibn Kathir (8/437); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (20/189)
Test Yourself
What is the difference between "hammaz" and "lummaz" in Surah Al-Humaza?
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